Lost Sheep
New member
You asked, we answered.
Mastergunner,
The suggestion about bear spray is a good one. Across Alaska and Canada, over the past 25 years, the rate of injury of people who defended themselves with bear spray is significantly lower than the injury rate of people who defended themselves with firearms.
A paper entitled "Efficacy of Bear Deterrent Spray in Alaska", published in April, 2008 in "The Journal of Wildlife Management," by Smith, Herrero, Debruyn and Wilder -- indicates 98% of human-bear encounters where action had to be taken to avoid human injury bear spray resulted in no injuries or minor injuries to the humans. A much better track record than firearms.
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=livingwithbears.bearcountry
http://www.adn.com/2003/06/08/147318/bear-spray-stops-charging-sow.html
http://www.adn.com/2009/08/13/897940/twig-snap-alerts-dog-walker-to.html
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=505401&highlight=#505401
Also interesting is the fact that, in Alaska, moose injure more people than Brown and Black bears combined. Probably explained by the fact that bears tend to shy away from people. Moose, however, get defensive, especially cow moose with calves.
When in the woods, I carry both bear spray (not the anti-people stuff, but the stuff designed for bears in the large can, or the newer UDAP spray) and a 454 Casull. If only carrying one, it is the spray.
In answer to your initial question, .357 Magnum is possibly the most versatile all-around cartridge in the world. When it was developed, the standard length was 6" and 8" was even better. Four inches was considered too short for comfort and too short to take advantage of the ballistics available from the cartridge. The facts have not changed in 77 years but people's perceptions have shifted towards a preference for the shorter barrel.
In answer to your detractors (and to your reaction to them) I will offer this unsolicited advice: The more polite you are and the more well-spoken (well-written; e.g. good grammar and proper spelling) you are, the more seriously you will be taken. Note: I am not saying you are impolite. I am just saying the MORE polite generally leads to a harmonious life.
I took the time to read through your other posts. You seem to be a serious, polite and reasonable person with a fairly level head on your shoulders in the other threads. Please don't let a thin skin and intemperate ripostes to perceived insults sully your reputation. We are trying to help, here.
Remember also, that we are not perfect. Sometimes attempts at mixing humor with sincere advice comes across as snarky. Please cut us the slack that you would like to have.
Besides, you asked for our two cents. You got'em.
Good luck
Lost Sheep
Mastergunner,
The suggestion about bear spray is a good one. Across Alaska and Canada, over the past 25 years, the rate of injury of people who defended themselves with bear spray is significantly lower than the injury rate of people who defended themselves with firearms.
A paper entitled "Efficacy of Bear Deterrent Spray in Alaska", published in April, 2008 in "The Journal of Wildlife Management," by Smith, Herrero, Debruyn and Wilder -- indicates 98% of human-bear encounters where action had to be taken to avoid human injury bear spray resulted in no injuries or minor injuries to the humans. A much better track record than firearms.
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=livingwithbears.bearcountry
http://www.adn.com/2003/06/08/147318/bear-spray-stops-charging-sow.html
http://www.adn.com/2009/08/13/897940/twig-snap-alerts-dog-walker-to.html
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=505401&highlight=#505401
Also interesting is the fact that, in Alaska, moose injure more people than Brown and Black bears combined. Probably explained by the fact that bears tend to shy away from people. Moose, however, get defensive, especially cow moose with calves.
When in the woods, I carry both bear spray (not the anti-people stuff, but the stuff designed for bears in the large can, or the newer UDAP spray) and a 454 Casull. If only carrying one, it is the spray.
In answer to your initial question, .357 Magnum is possibly the most versatile all-around cartridge in the world. When it was developed, the standard length was 6" and 8" was even better. Four inches was considered too short for comfort and too short to take advantage of the ballistics available from the cartridge. The facts have not changed in 77 years but people's perceptions have shifted towards a preference for the shorter barrel.
In answer to your detractors (and to your reaction to them) I will offer this unsolicited advice: The more polite you are and the more well-spoken (well-written; e.g. good grammar and proper spelling) you are, the more seriously you will be taken. Note: I am not saying you are impolite. I am just saying the MORE polite generally leads to a harmonious life.
I took the time to read through your other posts. You seem to be a serious, polite and reasonable person with a fairly level head on your shoulders in the other threads. Please don't let a thin skin and intemperate ripostes to perceived insults sully your reputation. We are trying to help, here.
Remember also, that we are not perfect. Sometimes attempts at mixing humor with sincere advice comes across as snarky. Please cut us the slack that you would like to have.
Besides, you asked for our two cents. You got'em.
Good luck
Lost Sheep
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